PCC says take heed of the message – drink drive kills

‘Deciding to drink and drive could cost you dearly this Christmas’ – that’s the message from Suffolk Police as officers launch their Christmas campaign. The month-long operation against driving under the influence of drink or drugs will see officers carrying out extra patrols and roadside checks. Any driver who is stopped due to concerns over the manner of their driving, a vehicle defect or is involved in a collision will be breathalysed. Specific time slots at Ipswich Magistrates Courts have been reserved to deal with those caught drink or drug driving. This effectively means that offenders could now lose their licence within 24 hours of being breathalysed whilst facing additional fines. Throughout the campaign roads policing officers will be using social media to share messages and provide updates on campaign results using @NSRoadsPolicing and via Suffolk Constabulary’s Facebook pages. During last year’s campaign 1,329 drivers were tested with 142 drivers providing positive readings. Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Let’s all hope that this year those who have chosen to ignore this message in the past take heed. I know the vast majority of drivers are responsible but sadly there are way too many, that despite the obvious dangers, are still taking to the road under the influence of drink or drugs. . “I’d like to think the message is getting through but sadly it seems far too many drivers have still not learnt the lesson – drink driving kills. . The campaign runs until Sunday 1 January and will see officers carrying out roadside checks throughout the day and night – including early morning checks – as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity. The public are also encouraged to report any concerns relating drink or drug driving anonymously using Crimestoppers on http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/or 0800 555 111.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore met with Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd today (September 27) to discuss the future funding challenges the Constabulary faces.

The Minister is talking to PCCs and Chief Constables across the country to understand better how the constabularies are managing the financial pressures. This was an opportunity for Tim Passmore to petition for a fairer financial settlement for Suffolk Constabulary, something he has lobbied for consistently since his election.

Tim Passmore said, “There are times in life when democratically elected leaders face extremely difficult decisions on behalf of their constituents and as Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner I am in such a situation. I am not seeking to be alarmist but the ability of Suffolk Constabulary to deliver an effective service, keeping communities safe and maintain public confidence is in serious jeopardy. This is due largely to financial pressure caused by the current Home Office funding regime, which for years has had an inbuilt bias against large rural counties like Suffolk.

In setting out the challenges they face, Tim Passmore, supported by Deputy Chief Constable, Steve Jupp, talked about the significantly higher workload of police officers in Suffolk, which is the highest in the country – 150 cases per year per officer compared to 132 cases per year in Norfolk and only 122 in the West Midlands. They also stressed the point that if Suffolk received the same level of Home Office funding as Norfolk on a pro rata basis, Suffolk’s grant would be £3.5 million higher, which would be a significant increase to the current total budget which is £121.8 million.

The key areas raised by the PCC for the Home Office to consider were:

A much fairer funding settlement for Suffolk so we are at least funded on the same per capita basis as neighbouring Norfolk

Funding to cover any pay rise above 1%

Recognition that financial reserves cannot be further depleted

Allow the budget to obtain the full benefit from the increased tax base

Cessation of the reduction in capital grant funding allowances

Incentives for much wider public sector reform and restructuring

Tim continued, “I firmly believe Suffolk should get a more equitable settlement, which reflects the challenges our county faces. Suffolk is home to one of the largest container ports in Europe, has a coast line of over 60 miles, we have five military establishments including two American airbases and the county is home to a nuclear power station. Suffolk does not have a motorway but the A14 is a major route of national importance – my concern is that the Government does not recognise the significance of these crucial strategic national assets. To be able to explain this directly to the Minister was extremely useful, I just hope it will make a difference.”

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